Birding tour in Costa Rica

DETAILED PROGRAMME

Day1: San Jose to Liberia (4h)

From the Costa Rican capital, San José, we head north toward Rincon de la Vieja. (Overnight near Liberia)

Day 2: Rincon de la Vieja

Rincon de la Vieja in the tropical dry forest kicks off your birding tour. Visit the national park and its geological phenomenon that are unique in the world. During an easy walk of about three hours, marvel at the strangler fig trees and observe the abundant fauna of this atypical forest. Afternoon through the trails of the hotel and its suspension bridges. (Overnight around Liberia)

Day3: Bird watching then to Monteverde (2.5h)

We will take advantage of our location to spot the early morning feeders in the area before we head off to higher ground in Monteverde. Here we’ll visit the Ecological Sanctuary and its ecosystem where the dry forest and the cloud forest meet. (Overnight in Monteverde)

Day4: Monteverde

Early departure for the suspension bridges of Selvatura in the cloud forest. Flirt with the canopy in the middle of a lush vegetation where the song of the Quetzales often resounds. Tree-top views of the jungle on every platform. After, we head to the area of the Arenal Volcano (3h). (Overnight in La Fortuna. Optional visit to the hot springs)

Day5: Arenal Volcano

Morning bird observation along the trails of the hotel then head to the hanging bridges of Sky Trek, a three-hour observation walk in the rainforest. Lunch in Arenal then visit the Bogarin Trail for an easy and surprising birding experience. (Night at La Fortuna.)

Day6: National Refuge of Caño Negro (2h) We leave early for this marshy biotope offers a privileged observation setting. Make a stop to photograph the abundant flocks of aquatic birds then get on a small boat and get close to the banks where herons and caimans coexist. Let yourself be guided through this biologically intense meander. Overnight in La Fortuna (2h)

Day7: Sarapiqui. (1h) 

The lowlands of the Costa Rican Caribbean is the best place to see colorful birds. Spend a few hours on the trails of one of the region’s parks then depart for the mountains of the Talamanca Mountain range (4h)

Day8: San Gerardo de Dota. 

The Talamanca Mountain Range is home of the highest level of endemism in Central America thanks to a spectacular oak forest. Land of hummingbirds and quetzales, jaguars and tapirs, this area includes the largest protected area in the country. Wake up at dawn to watch the mythical Resplendent Quetzals foraging, parading, and singing. Spend the rest of the day on the trails of this magical mountain universe.

Day9: Drake Bay (4h) 

We leave the Talamanca area towards Sierpe via the Panamerican Highway at its highest point. We will cross the paramo, a subalpine ecosystem with low vegetation. Then we will descend to the largest mangrove of the country before boarding a small boat and descend the estuary of the Sierpe River to the ocean, reaching the wild beach of Drake Bay. (Overnight in Drake)

Day10: Corcovado National Park

Sail from Drake Beach to Corcovado. Depending on the availability of the park, we will visit one of the two stations: Sirena or San Pedrillo Station. The visit to Corcovado Park is limited and can only be done with an authorized guide. You land once again on one of the beaches of the Osa Peninsula. Fauna and flora observation hike (30 min by boat for San Pedrillo and 1 hour for Sirena, 4 hour hike). Corcovado National Park is home of all four species of monkeys in the country, a large population of cougars and tapirs, and over 375 species of birds. It is a privilege for any naturalist to be able to visit this jewel. Return to Drake for an afternoon of leisure time. (Overnight at Drake)

Day 11:Drake Bay to Carara (4h) 

We take the boat back up the river and return to Sierpe through the canals that cross the mangroves. Then head north and the Carara region. On the road we will make several stops to enjoy the landscape and the surroundings. Afternoon at the gardens of your hotel for some sit and wait birding (Overnight in the Carara region.)

Day12: Carara National Park

A full day in this region of transition between the dry forest and the humid forest. In the morning, visit of the Carara National Park. This park offers a multitude of ecosystems and a record number of bird species. Then in the afternoon you will flow quietly on the Tarcoles River, a compulsory stopover for the North American migrating birds that come to rest and feed on the riverbanks avoiding its monstrous crocodiles. Transport from Carara back to San José (2h) (night in San José)